*Warning – This article contains major spoilers for Outlander.*
One Outlander fan has posed a theory about a “prayer” offered by Roger Wakefield (Richard Rankin) following an encounter with Jonathan ‘Black Jack’ Randall (Tobias Menzies) earlier on in the show.
The viewer argued that it could be connected to the moment the villain inadvertently saves Jamie Fraser’s (Sam Heughan) life as he dies.
It comes ahead of season 7, part 2, of the historical fantasy series based on Diana Gabaldon’s books of the same name, which will be coming to Starz later this Autumn.
Taking to Reddit, a fan with the username @Dinna-_-Fash queried: “Have you had some thoughts about that encounter between Roger and BJR back in 1739? When he went looking for Jemmy far back?
“This whole praying thing with him is like a thorn in my brain that can’t shake off! He knew, he could not dare change the past to avoid all the horrible things BJR will do to his love ones, because of the chain reaction it may cause.
“BUT wonder if it has to do with that game DG has with us and Jamie not remembering exactly if he killed BJR or not.
“Slowly bits have been revealed to us in the last book, and Jamie has been trying hard to remember all the details about Murtagh’s and BJR death.. What IF at the end, was BJR that saved Jamie’s life by falling over him ??
“That way, hiding him from others ( like young LJG going around killing the injured and about to die) and preventing, with pressure, that Jamie bleeds to death?? could that prayer have had an effect like this maybe? Would love to hear your thoughts!” the fan concluded with an open request. (sic)
Taking to the comments section, other viewers discussed the theory, with one writing: “I interpreted more as Roger’s way of doing something, knowing he couldn’t warn the Frasers about what was coming or stop Randall from doing what he was doing to do. He knew it wouldn’t make a difference and in a sense didn’t want it to make a difference, since it would change everything.
“Technically, BJR is the reason Jamie and Claire met and married, Murtagh saved her from BJR and Dougal married Claire off to Jamie to protect her from questioning from BJR. Thus, Brianna wouldn’t have been born and Roger wouldn’t be there to look for Jemmy. Not that BJR deserves much credit for his unknowing matchmaking skills.
“I’ve never thought about it but you’re right about BJR falling on Jamie! When Jamie wakes up in Voyager, he describes feeling as though his left leg was numb, and realizes belatedly that it’s because BJR’s weight is on it. BJR’s body was basically acting as a tourniquet.” (sic)
While another fan opened up the debate to more questions, commenting: “BJR definitely fell on Jamie and saved him from bleeding. I think Jamie talks about it at some point, it may be Bees or even Voyager. Jamie knows he killed BJR and remembered everything about Culloden in Bees.
“One thing that always puzzled me was – Did Roger’s presence in the 1730s led to the meeting of BJR and the Frasers?” (sic)
Another replied: “Yes. BJR lying on top of Jamie staunches the bleeding of his leg wound. Had BJR not fallen on him, he most likely would have bled out.” (sic)
One more reflected: “I think that Roger also shows more self-control and better reasoning as far as violence goes. He thinks about things and the consequences that could take place.”
Following the closure of Lionsgate+ in the UK, new episodes of Outlander will be available on Starz and to stream on Prime Video channel MGM+ from Sunday, November 22. You must be an Amazon Prime member before you can sign up for MGM+.